Please sign LMB's petition urging House action on our bicycle safety legislation. Whether or not you previously singed our Action Alert to your individual lawmakers, we need your help again (this is a new petition)! The bills that would create a five foot passing standard and dedicate more time in driver's education to bicycle safety and awareness are in jeopardy.

The Michigan Senate recently passed these bills by wide margins. They were referred to the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure where they have been waiting to be scheduled for a hearing. Unfortunately, the committee will not meet again this session. House Speaker Kevin Cotter and the committee chair, Representative Ben Glardon, have the ability to discharge the bills from committee and bring them up for a vote on the House floor before the end of lame duck. The bills are now in their hands.

This is our last opportunity to get these bills passed this session, so we need all hands on deck! Here are three simple ways to help:

1. Sign our Change.org petition. Go to www.LMB.org/takeavote to sign. An email will be sent to the Speaker and Representative Glardon's offices for every signature.

2. Double your impact by also calling House Speaker Cotter and Representative Glardon's offices. Ask Speaker Cotter to "work with Representative Glardon to discharge SB 1076, SB 1077, and SB 1078 and schedule the bills for an immediate vote." Ask Representative Glardon to "work with House Speaker Cotter to schedule SB 1076, SB 1077, and SB 1078 for an immediate vote."

3. Share! We need as many emails and calls in support of these bills as possible. Please forward this email. Use the Change.org share features. Like and Share our Facebook post and Retweet our Twitter graphic.

Thank you so much for helping us fight to have this important legislation scheduled for a vote and sent to the Governor's desk! We can't do it without you!

PS: LMB's advocacy work would not be possible without your ongoing financial support. Please consider donating to LMB's Annual Campaign as you plan your year-end giving. Thanks to a few generous donors, donations made before December 31st will be matched. Thank you!

The bills now move to the House. We are still waiting to hear what committee they will be referred to. We know that the House will not meet again until after the election on November 8, meaning no further action on these bills will be taken before that date. However, we are optimistic that we will still see House action during lame duck session this fall.

You can read the full text of the 5-foot passing bills, here and here.

SB 1077 deals with motorists passing on the left of a bicyclist. It states:

THE DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OVERTAKING A BICYCLE PROCEEDING IN THE SAME DIRECTION SHALL PASS AT A SAFE DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 5 FEET TO THE LEFT OF THAT BICYCLE, AND WHEN SAFELY CLEAR OF THE OVERTAKEN BICYCLE SHALL TAKE UP A POSITION AS NEAR THE RIGHT-HAND EDGE OF THE MAIN TRAVELED PORTION OF THE HIGHWAY AS IS PRACTICABLE.

NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 640, IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, THE DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OVERTAKING A BICYCLE PROCEEDING IN THE SAME DIRECTION MAY OVERTAKE AND PASS THE BICYCLE IN A NO-PASSING ZONE.

SB 1076 is similar, but deals with motorists passing on the right of a bicyclist. Examples of why a motorist might pass to the right of a bicyclist include when the bicyclist is riding on the far left side of a one-way road, or when the bicyclist is maneuvering away from the right side of the road in order to make a left turn.

Significant changes were made to the driver's education legislation (SB 1078) before it passed off the Senate floor. The original bill language included three hours dedicated to bicycle and motorcycle awareness. It read:

Classroom instruction shall include 3 OR MORE HOURS OF information concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles and motorcycles and shall emphasize awareness of their operation on the streets, roads, and highways of this state.

The full text of the version of SB 1077 that was adopted, with substitute language, can be found here. The substitute language reads:

Classroom instruction shall include NOT LESS THAN 1 HOUR OF information concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles, and motorcycles, AND OTHER VULNERABLE ROADWAY USERS, INCLUDING PEDESTRIANS, and shall emphasize awareness of their operation on the streets, roads, and highways of this state.

THE LAWS OF THIS STATE PERTAINING TO AWARENESS OF BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES, AND OTHER VULNERABLE ROADWAY USERS, INCLUDING PEDESTRIANS, SHALL ALSO BE INCORPORATED INTO ADDITIONAL CURRICULUM, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, LAWS PERTAINING TO YIELDING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, TRAVELING AT A SAFE AND REASONABLE SPEED FOR CONDITIONS, ENSURING A SAFE DISTANCE, AND DISTRACTED DRIVING.

LMB was disappointed to see the time requirement changed from three hours to one. Additionally, while we certainly support protecting all vulnerable roadway users such as pedestrians, the revised language now splits a single one hour between all three user groups.

We are excited, however, at the inclusion of the second sentence, which requires that bicycle information also be incorporated in other areas of the curriculum outside of the stand-alone hour segment. Likewise we are pleased that a short list of delineated topics was included such as yielding right of way, speed, safe distance, and distracted driving.

Senator O'Brien, the bill sponsor from Kalamazoo, was in favor of the reduction in time in order to appease concerns by the Secretary of State's (SOS) office over the original three-hour requirement. While LMB pushed back on any reduction in time, we still believe this is a positive step towards educating young drivers about sharing the road. Additionally, Senator O'Brien and SOS are already discussing opportunities to make more substantial changes to the driver's education curriculum next session, including adding more time to the entire course. This will provide the cycling community additional opportunities to push for additional bicycle safety content.

One obvious omission from our Senate victory is the absence of our Vulnerable Roadway User bills that create enhanced penalties for drivers who injure or kill a bicyclist. Despite the Judiciary Committee unanimously passing SB 1029 and 1030, Republican leadership did not schedule the bills for a floor vote, stating concerns about creating special classes of penalties. Despite the setback, LMB remains optimistic about the prospect of advancing these bills during lame duck.

What can you do to continue moving this legislation forward?

1) Sign and share our Action Alert.Add your name to our Action Alert at LMB.org/takeaction. Doing this will send an email to your State Representative, Senator, and Governor Snyder. Since bills are in play in both chambers, it is important to continue to get emails into offices. Language reflecting recent events will be added to the Action Alert, meaning that even if you have already signed, singing it again will serve to remind your lawmakers that there is still work for them to do.

2) Thank your Senator.Don't forget to thank your Senator for their leadership! The bills had a lot of positive support and were adopted by wide margins. This means that your emails, phones calls, and social media posts did not go unnoticed. You can find their contact information here.

Below is a breakdown of how the Senators voted*:

SB 1076Yeas—34, Nays—2 (Hildenbrand, Knollenberg)

SB 1077Yeas—34, Nays—2 (Hildenbrand, Knollenberg)

SB 1078Yeas—36, Nays—0

*Senator Johnson was excused from all three votes.

3) Stay tuned for opportunities to advance our Vulnerable Roadway User bills.LMB is working on the next step in driving forward this bill, and we will need your help to do it. Please keep an eye on our social media, website, and on your emails. Be ready to join us in the next push to get movement on this important legislation.

As always, thank you to everyone who has joined and helped us get this far. This victory shows the strength our collective voices have in driving change. Let's keep it up!

LMB has received word that our bicycle safety legislation will likely be put to a vote when the Senate meets this week!

This great news is a result of the thousands of emails supporters like you have sent to legislative offices in recent weeks. Thank you! We need your help again to continue to advance these bills. Please call your Senator TODAY to urge them to vote YES on this important bicycle safety package. Just a few minutes on the phone will allow your Senator to hear in your voice how important this legislation is.

To find your Senator's name and phone number, use the Find My Senator search. Most offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Voice-mail messages are also encouraged if you cannot call during office hours. Below is a sample script.

"Hello my name is from . I'm calling to support bicycle safety legislation, Senate Bills 1029, 1030, 1076, 1077, and 1078, that recently passed unanimously out of the Judiciary Committee. I urge Senator to vote yes when they are put to a vote this week. Bicycle fatalities increased 57% in 2015 and so far we've already experienced 20 bicycle deaths this year. This common-sense package, which has broad bipartisan and bicameral support, will help prevent more needless tragedies. As one of your constituents, I believe that this legislation is important because .Thank you for your time."

If you reach a staff member rather than your Senator directly, please ask them to relay your message to the Senator. Whether you connect with a Senator or their staff, be sure to thank them for their time and consideration.

Another powerful way you can urge your Senator to vote yes is through social media. Using the same Find My Senator search, you can be directed to their website. From there, you can locate the Senator's Twitter and Facebook pages. Tweet at them or post on their Wall to urge them to vote yes. Below is a sample Tweet.

Getting this package of bills signed into law is a process, and it is only because of the individuals who have banded together that they have gotten this far. Through our collective voice, we have gone from having these bills introduced, to being passed through a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, and onto the Senate floor. There is strength in numbers. Please ask your fellow cyclists, friends, family members, and neighbors to follow your lead and also make phone calls to their Senators. Now it's time for one more push to get these bills voted out of the Senate, and one step closer to being law!

LMB was very pleased with the Senate Judiciary Committee's recent vote in favor of bicycle-friendly legislation (SB 1029, 1030, 1076, 1077, and 1078).

However, there is more work to be done! The bills now go to the Senate floor for consideration. The Senate will only meet briefly in October and we need your help to ensure that the bills are scheduled for a vote. Please take a moment to email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
and
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
to urge them to put this matter to a vote at the next available opportunity!

Sample message:

I applaud the Senate Judiciary's swift action on September 20th in support of SB 1029, 1030, 1076, 1077, and 1078, bills aimed at protecting bicyclists and other vulnerable roadway users. The bills now await action on the Senate Floor. As the Senate Majority Leader and Senate Majority Floor Leader, I urge you to schedule a vote for this important bill package during your next session day in October.

Bicycle fatalities and serious injuries are far too common in our state. Michigan lags behind other states in protecting bicyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users and is one of only eleven states without a law specifically requiring motorists to pass bicyclists safely. In addition, our driver's education curriculum only gives a fleeting mention of how to safely interact with bicyclists on the roads. It is thus no surprise that bicycle fatalities increased an alarming 57% in 2015. The horrific headlines of bicycle fatalities across the state this summer demonstrate that the problem is only getting worse. You are in a unique position to prevent future tragedies by moving these bills to the House as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your leadership!

Sincerely,

We are so thankful for the swift action of our members and friends that have kept this issue in the minds of our lawmakers by signing and sharing our action alert. If you have not added your name yet, please sign our action alert today to send a message in support of these bills to your Senator, Representative, and Governor Snyder. Our collective voice is really helping to push these issues to the forefront. Let's keep the momentum going!

This month, shop our online store and take 40% off LMB Tour T-Shirts with coupon code: LMBTOURS. LMB Tour T-Shirts run from size Small to 3XL and start at $9.60 for members using the coupon code! The shirts come in a variety of colors, including a high-visibility yellow in performance grade fabric!

We are very pleased to report that the Senate Judiciary Committee has voted in favor of our package of legislation at a hearing on September 20 in Lansing! The package of five Bills (SB 1029, 1030, 1076, 1077, and 1078) collectively will protect vulnerable roadway users, create clear standards for motorists to safely pass bicyclists, and improve driver’s education in Michigan to put a greater emphasis on bicycle safety.

LMB would like to thank Senators O'Brien and Knezek for sponsoring this legislation and Bryan Waldman for representing LMB during the hearing. We would also like to thank the Judiciary Committee for their attention and support for this matter.

Most importantly, LMB would like thank the individuals and organizations who shared their emotional testimony, sent letters of support, attended the hearing, or otherwise supported this package of legislation.

The Bills now go to the Senate floor for consideration. We urge the Senate to answer the call of bicyclists and their communities and vote "yes" on these Bills. We also urge the House of Representatives and Governor Snyder to take swift action thereafter to sign this legislation into law. Please continue to call on your lawmakers to voice the need to put these Bills on the Governor's desk as soon as possible to help prevent further tragedies!

Video of the Judiciary Committee Hearing is available and can we viewed below. Our package of Bills is put before the Committee following a statement from Senators O'Brien and Knezek, beginning around 17 minutes into the video.

LMB would like to thank everybody for all the support this summer, both financially and through our various calls to action. To say that it has been a tough summer is an understatement. As we turn to fall however, we are excited at opportunities that, with your help, will significantly improve bicycle safety across our state.

We recently received word that a committee hearing is scheduled for September 20th for our 5-foot passing and vulnerable roadway user bills. We’ve been waiting patiently throughout the summer for this opportunity. These bills require motorists to pass bicyclists with a minimum of five feet and create increased penalties for drivers who injure or kill a cyclist. We are excited to announce that in the upcoming days State Senator Margaret O'Brien will also introduce a bill that mandates that Michigan driver’s education curriculum include three or more hours of information concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles.

In tandem, these three legislative changes will play a significant role in making Michigan a more bicycle friendly state. No doubt, there is still plenty of future work to be done including better educating bicyclists and motorists alike and curbing intoxicated and distracting driving. In the meantime, these three policy priorities are tangible by this year’s end if we all work together.

So, how can you help? The best thing you can do is to SIGN and SHARE our action alert at www.LMB.org/takeaction. We need to get as many emails into legislative offices leading up the to the committee hearing as possible!. Just put in your contact details and personalize the message to tell your own story – it’s that easy.

If you’ve already signed, THANK YOU! We’ve already submitted over 6,000 emails to our state lawmakers. Let’s keep up the momentum! Please share the the graphic and link (www.LMB.org/takeaction) across your personal networks…Email it, Facebook it, Tweet it, Instagram It…just get the word out as broadly as you can. You don’t need to be a bicyclist to sign. Many friends and loved ones of bicyclists have expressed their concern about the growing number of tragic headlines involving cyclists in our state. They care about your safety on the roadways and are likely eager to help. Please be sure to reach out to any non-cycling friends and family to engage them in our efforts.

Secondly, if you represent an organization, club, shop, or business, please consider writing a short letter of support to the Senate Judiciary Committee. We are already working behind the scenes to line up testimony from various partner organizations and victims across the state. You can supplement these powerful stories by putting your support in writing. If you are interested, please contact me for additional guidance.

Lastly, if you are interested in attending the hearing on September 20th, please contact LMB's office ASAP for more details. The committee rooms are relatively small. While we certainly want to fill the room with supporters, we also want to make sure we are well organized, on message, and have plenty of time for our planned testimony.

This year, Shoreline West was LMB's biggest tour ever with 552 riders. Our new friends ranged in age from 4 to 76 and joined us from 38 states and 2 countries. The route wound its way up Lake Michigan's west coastline. Riders cycled through fields of sunflowers, past impressive sand dunes, and up a couple screaming hills topped with panoramic views that made the climb worth it. There were plenty of opportunities for photographs at popular sites like the world's largest weather-vane and the Ludington North Breakwater Light. In the evenings, riders ventured to the charming towns that hosted us for great food and the occasional adult beverage. Shoreline West definitely showcased a little bit of everything that makes Michigan awesome.

In addition to the usual gems along the the route, LMB planned a few surprises to celebrate our milestone 30th anniversary.

One surprise was LMB's new Photo Booth. A backdrop, camera, and fun accessories were available for riders to use at every site. Riders posed for the camera and had their photos sent to them or posted to their social media accounts. By the end of the tour, LMB had collected many humorous shots of riders just goofing around!

LMB also hosted a concert during the Layover Day in Traverse City. Musician Joshua Davis was on hand to serenade our riders in an intimate setting at the City Opera House. This historic building was stunning and provided a beautiful backdrop to go along with Davis' tunes. Riders who stuck around after the encore even got a chance to chat with Davis and have their newly purchased CD's signed.

Riders also got a chance to scoop up some of our new merchandise! LMB has been working on new designs and was very excited to see riders showing them off on the tour.

And, finally, LMB unveiled its solution charging everyone's electronics: our newly designed charging station. This was a welcome sight to riders who remember the hassles of hunting down an outlet and or trying to untangle from a mess of cords from previous tours.

LMB closed its office in Lansing in order for our staff to run the tour after our Tour Director, Scott Elliott, was injured in a hit-and-run crash while riding his bicycle. Thankfully, Scott is on the road to recovery, and LMB staff was able to pull off a successful tour! We could not have done it without our tireless volunteers, who year after year step up to the plate and out-do themselves. We are immeasurably grateful.

We truly hope that all our riders enjoyed themselves on Shoreline West 2016. The tour, along with our other bicycle tours, underwrite our organization and are vital in advancing our mission to promote bicycling and the safety of bicyclists on the roadways of Michigan.

We are already looking ahead to Shoreline West 2017, hope to see everyone then!

On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, an inexplicable tragedy struck the Kalamazoo region. An out-of-control driver mowed down nine experienced bicyclists, killing five and seriously injuring four others. In addition to this horrific tragedy, Michigan has sadly seen a startling increase in bicycle fatalities and injuries over the past two years.

The cycling community is grieving for the families and friends of the victims of each of these senseless tragedies. At the same time, we are calling for immediate action. Bicycle fatalities and serious injuries are far too common in our state. Michigan lags behind other states in protecting bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users and is one of only eleven states without a law specifically requiring motorists to pass bicyclists safely. In addition, our driver's education curriculum only gives a fleeting mention of how to safely interact with bicyclists on the roads.

In the wake of the horrific events in Kalamazoo, and on behalf of all the bicyclists and pedestrians who have lost their lives needlessly, Michigan CAN and MUST do better at protecting our most vulnerable roadway users.

We have a very narrow window of opportunity to advance these bills this fall when the legislature returns from summer recess, so it's essential that we all take action and rally additional support. In tragedy emerges opportunity. This is our opportunity to create significant progress for bicycling in Michigan. Please support SB 1029 (O'Brien), SB 1030 (Knezek), HB 5002 (Darany), 5003 (Callton), 5004 (Callton), as well as ongoing legislative efforts to improve driver's education in Michigan by contacting your lawmakers today. These bills safeguard vulnerable roadway users including bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users and create clear standards for safe passing distances.

These bills are an important first step.

LMB is pleased to partner with the League of American Bicyclists on this important action alert.